What to buy for a climbing competition

A climbing competition needs more than routes and climbing holds. Your shopping list must cover safe movement around the climbing area, registration, judging, scoring, announcements and the practical work of route builders. Check what the venue already supplies before buying equipment such as mats, ropes, harnesses and helmets. Order medals, prizes, bib numbers and printed materials early, because replacements are difficult to arrange on competition day.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 30
Party tentsqty 3
Folding benchesqty 4
Bollardsqty 20
Barrier tapeqty 4

Sports equipment

Bouldering matsqty 12
Climbing ropesqty 6
Climbing harnessesqty 12
Climbing helmetsqty 12
Oven bagsqty 20
Climbing brushesqty 20
Route map signsqty 12
Bib numbersqty 120
Stage blocksqty 3
Medalsqty 18
Prizesqty 6
Toolboxesqty 3
Allen key setsqty 4
Brushes for gripsqty 12

Equipment

Sound system
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Laptopsqty 2
Tabletsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Charging stationsqty 3
Megaphone
Stopwatchesqty 8
Printer

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Coffee potsqty 4
Water jugsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
Outdoor lightsqty 4

Catering

Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Food warmersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Knivesqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 8
Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Stir sticks - 2 packs
- Mini ice pops - 100 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White bread - 6 loaves
- Whole grain rolls - 80 pieces
- Mild matured cheese - 3 kilogram
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Bananas - 6 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Napkins - 6 packs
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Nitrile gloves - 2 boxes

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Hand sanitizerqty 6
Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 4
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Glovesqty 12

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Cold packsqty 10
Safety vestsqty 12
Flashlightsqty 6

Tips

Count one bib number and one score sheet per competitor, then prepare at least 10% extra for damaged, lost or late replacement copies. Keep spare pens at the registration and judges’ tables.
Plan power before bringing laptops, tablets, printers, sound equipment and charging stations into the venue. Take enough extension cords and power strips to reach every work area, and test the full setup at least one day ahead.
Allow one working stopwatch for each judging station, plus two spares. Charge tablets, microphones and other battery-powered equipment overnight rather than waiting until the morning of the competition.
Buy or bring route-setting tools before the route builders arrive. A toolbox, Allen key sets, climbing brushes and grip brushes are easy to overlook, but a missing tool can delay route checks and changes.
Separate competition-area equipment from registration supplies in labelled boxes. Keep barrier tape, bollards and route map signs together so the area can be marked and numbered before competitors arrive.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a climbing competition?: You need competition-area and safety equipment such as bouldering mats, climbing ropes, harnesses, helmets and route map signs, depending on the format and venue. You also need scoring and operations equipment, including bib numbers, score sheets, stopwatches, laptops or tablets, a printer and communication equipment.
How many bib numbers and score sheets should I buy?: Prepare one bib number and one score sheet per registered competitor, plus at least 10% extra. For 100 competitors, that means 110 bib numbers and 110 score sheets so replacements are available.
What should I bring for route setting?: Prepare at least one toolbox and one Allen key set for each route-setting team, along with climbing brushes and brushes for grips. Confirm the exact tools with the route builders at least one week before the competition.
When should I order medals and prizes for a climbing competition?: Order medals and prizes at least three to four weeks before the event. This leaves time to check quantities, replace errors and organise them for the award ceremony instead of handling them during registration.

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